Optimization of prevention and mitigation of severe accidents through Research: Major outcomes and outlook of the Spanish programme

• Published in: Nuclear engineering and design 2024-02, Vol.417, p.112804, Article 112804
• Main Authors: Herranz, L.E., Domínguez-Bugarín, A., Fernández-Cosials, K., Fontanet, J., Jiménez, G., Martín-Valdepeñas, J.M., Queral, C., Robledo, F., Serra, L., Vázquez-Rodríguez, C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0029-5493; 1872-759X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2023.112804

•Spanish research on severe accident is deeply integrated in the existing international frameworks and it is mainly driven by accident management.•Pool scrubbing, combustible gas distribution and combustion and fission products transport have been the phenomena more thoroughly investigated.•Safety systems performance and accident management strategies have been addressed.•Regulators and utilities support this research and makes sure the practical benefit for a safer exploitation of Spanish nuclear power plants. Severe accidents research activities in Spain have grown substantially since the Fukushima-Daiichi accident. Most of these research activities have been conducting by a few organizations (national research center and academia) with the support of the Regulatory Authority, utilities and engineering companies. A great number of these activities were conducted in the analytical field and their main outcomes are contributing to a better understanding of severe accident phenomena (i.e., pool scrubbing; combustible gas distribution and combustion; fission products transport; etc.) and the efficiency of severe accident management actions (i.e., FLEX; PARs; activation of safety systems, long-term measures; etc.). The national framework set between researchers and end-users (regulators and utilities) is improving the safety of the Spanish nuclear power plants and allows for the assimilation of the research results by the nuclear industry.